Ecclesia Gnostica

Last updated

Ecclesia Gnostica
Location Los Angeles
CountryUnited States
Denomination Christian Neo-Gnosticism
Website Ecclesia Gnostica
History
Founded1959
Clergy
Bishop(s) Stephan A. Hoeller

Ecclesia Gnostica (Latin: The Church of Gnosis) is an open sacramental [ citation needed ] neo-Gnostic church based in the United States. It has ordained clergy and conducts regular sacramental services, including two weekly Masses (Celebration of the Holy Eucharist), as well as monthly and seasonal services in accordance with the liturgical calendar. It has active parishes in Seattle, Portland, Austin, and Los Angeles.

Contents

History

The organisation now called the Ecclesia Gnostica was originally organised in England under the name the Pre-Nicene Gnostic Catholic Church in 1953, [1] [2] by the Most Rev. Richard Jean Chretien Duc de Palatine with the object of "restoring the Gnosis – Divine Wisdom to the Christian Church, and to teach the Path of Holiness which leads to God and the Inner Illumination and Interior Communion with the Soul through the mortal body of man." [3] Born Ronald Powell, Richard Duc de Palatine had served in the Liberal Catholic Church in Australia, before moving to England. Bishop Duc de Palatine was consecrated by the Most Rev. Msg. Hugh George de Willmott Newman (Mar Georgius I), patriarch of the Catholic Apostolic Church (Catholicate of the West) who consolidated many lines of apostolic succession. [4] [3]

Bishop Duc de Palatine also received a charter in 1953 to head an organisation first called "the Brotherhood of the Illuminati," renamed "the Order of the Pleroma" in 1960. He received other esoteric lines and charters such as: the Templar Order, Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross, Memphis and Mizraim Rites of Freemasonry, and the Martiniste Order, and termed the combination with the Ecumenical Apostolic Succession "the Wisdom Religion-Gnostic Mystic Tradition." [5] [3]

In 1959 the organisation became active in the United States [6] [7] [8] through the work of Stephan A. Hoeller, who served as a priest of the church in Los Angeles, and was subsequently consecrated bishop in 1967. He took the role of presiding bishop on the death of de Palatine in 1977. [9] The two men had had a personal falling out prior. [8]

The Ecumenical Apostolic Succession

Most Rev. Msg. Hugh George de Willmott Newman (Mar Georgius I) felt that all proper and valid consecrations and ordinations are equally efficacious regardless of the particular line of apostolic succession, but also that some degree of irregularity would attach itself to acts lacking ecumenical sanction. And so, to rectify any irregularity, and to overcome any doubts about validity of any line of apostolic succession, he sought and received conditional consecration from every part of the One Holy Catholic (Universal) and Apostolic church, bringing into being the Ecumenical Apostolic Succession. This Ecumenical line incorporates Syrian-Antiochene, Syrian-Malabar, Syrian-Gallican, Syro-Chaldean, Chaldean-Uniate, Coptic-Orthodox, Armenian-Uniate, Greek-Melkite, Russian-Orthodox, Russo-Syriac, Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Liberal Catholic, Order of Corporate Reunion, Mariavite; and additional (disputed) lines of Anglican, Nonjuring, Celtic, Welsh, and Restored Apostolic (Irvingite). [3]

All of these lines were passed to bishop Duc de Palatine at his consecration in 1953 and in a subsequent conditional consecration in 1955, then passed on to Hoeller in 1967.

Organisation

Polity

The leaders of the church are Most Rev. Stephan A. Hoeller, Regionary Bishop, and Rt. Rev. Steven Marshall, Auxiliary Bishop.

Participation

The Ecclesia Gnostica has no formal, dues-paying membership, and its activities are open to all, regardless of creed. [10]

Clergy

Holy orders are open to all genders and orientations. Clergy are self-sustaining, not receiving a salary from the church.

Teachings and doctrinal orientation

Though Christianity based on Gnosis is unaligned with creed or acceptance from mainstream Christian churches, the Ecclesia Gnostica considers itself part of the fellowship of Universal Christendom, that is part of the One Holy Catholic (Universal) and Apostolic Church. [11] [12]

The Ecclesia Gnostica is a liturgical orthopraxy rather than an orthodoxy. Christian liturgy is central to the existence of the church, and in ritual and ornament the church is similar to Catholicism. [8]

The church does not proselytise. There is not an exclusive claim of salvation; salvation is not dependent on participation in the church. Salvation is also understood differently from salvation in mainstream Christianity: salvation is achieved through Gnosis, described as "an inner 'knowingness,' a change of consciousness." [13]

Gnosticism is grounded in the experience of Gnosis, which is the salvific and revelatory experience of transcendence. The experience of Gnosis receives expression in the Gnostic Mythology which allows the Gnostic to amplify and assimilate the experience of Gnosis and also makes further experience of Gnosis possible. [14]

The focus is no single version or rendering of the Gnostic Mythos, but the entire heritage of the Gnostic tradition, which includes: primary sources such as the Nag Hammadi Library and much of the canonical Bible, with consideration of the less reliable accounts and recensions of teachings found in heresiological texts, the Hermetic writings, and the teachings of the Prophet Mani. [14]

Understanding of the Gnostic tradition

While recognising the very pluralistic and creative elements of ancient Gnostic teachings they are seen as embracing a set of common assumptions which form the core of the Gnostic tradition. The "brief and inadequate outline" of this core given by bishop Hoeller [10] is further summarised below:

There is an original and transcendental spiritual unity which came to emanate a vast manifestation of pluralities. The manifest universe of matter and mind (psyche) was created by spiritual beings possessing inferior powers, one of their objectives being continued separation of humans from the unity (God).

The human being is a composite, the outer aspect being the handiwork of the inferior creators, while the "inner man" has the character of a fallen spark of the ultimate divine unity. Though these sparks slumber in their material and mental prison, there is a constant effort directed toward their awakening and liberation from the unity. Particularly honored for such aid is the emanation called Sophia (Wisdom). The awakening of the inmost divine essence is effected by salvific knowledge, called Gnosis.

Messengers of light have been sent by the unity for the advancement of Gnosis in humans. The greatest of these messengers in our historical and geographical matrix was Jesus Christ. Jesus was a teacher, imparting instruction concerning the way of Gnosis, and he was a hierophant, imparting mysteries. These mysteries (sacraments) are mighty aids toward Gnosis entrusted by Jesus to his apostles and to their successors. By way of the spiritual practice of the mysteries (sacraments) and a relentless and uncompromising striving for Gnosis, humans can steadily advance toward liberation. The ultimate objective of this process of liberation is the achievement of salvific knowledge and with it freedom from embodied existence and return to the ultimate unity.

The church does not require the acceptance of these teachings as a matter of belief. Although it states, "it is obvious that these teachings represent the distinctive contribution of the Gnostic tradition to religious thought and persons functioning within the tradition would find themselves in general agreement with them." [10]

Worship and spiritual practice

Ecclesia Gnostica (Gnostic Church) chapel in Los Angeles. Altar set up for a vespers service. Ecclesia Gnostica Vespers Altar.png
Ecclesia Gnostica (Gnostic Church) chapel in Los Angeles. Altar set up for a vespers service.

Ecclesia Gnostica services consist of different liturgical celebrations usually based on traditional Western forms of Christian liturgy. Like ancient Gnostic groups, the Ecclesia Gnostica blends several disparate traditions. [8] The church performs its sacraments "in accordance with the tradition of the Ancient Mystery Schools" and attempts to present them "in their original meaning as archetypal acts of ceremonial communion with the timeless realities of the soul." [15]

The Gnostic Holy Eucharist

The celebration of the Gnostic Holy Eucharist is offered every Sunday in Los Angeles (and most other parishes). [16] The Eucharist is central to the practice of the church, and is celebrated with high formality as congregants prepare to commune with "the indwelling and cosmic Christ." [8] The service resembles a Traditional Roman Catholic liturgy in style, complete with elaborate vestments, burning candles, incense, and bells. [7] [8]

The service contains the Post-Eucharistic Benediction, "The peace of God which passeth all understanding, go with you. There is a power that makes all things new: It lives and moves in those who know the Self as one. May that peace brood over you, that Power uplift you into the Light, may It keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and Love of God, and of His Son, our Lord the Christ." [17]

Other sacraments

The Ecclesia Gnostica recognises five initiatory sacraments as listed in the Gospel of Philip: Baptism, Chrism or Confirmation, Eucharist, Redemption (Consolamentum) and Bride-Chamber, with the additional two sustaining sacraments of Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick. (The sacraments of Penance and Matrimony are considered to be secondary sacraments having been substituted for those of Redemption and Bride-Chamber.) The initiatory sacraments of Baptism and Chrism or Confirmation and the two sustaining sacraments are offered by the church. [18]

Statue of the Most Holy Sophia (with enclosure) in the Ecclesia Gnostica in Los Angeles. Ecclesia Gnostica Holy Sophia Statue.png
Statue of the Most Holy Sophia (with enclosure) in the Ecclesia Gnostica in Los Angeles.

Devotional service to the Holy Sophia

In addition to the forms of liturgical service in the tradition of the Christian church, there is also the devotional service to the Holy Sophia that is unique to the rite of the Ecclesia Gnostica. [19]

Liturgical calendar and lectionary

The church follows the traditional Western liturgical calendar with additions and emendations. These changes include the addition of observances of Gnostic church fathers and martyrs of the Gnostic tradition, and the re-dedication of the Marian feasts of Assumption and Nativity to the Assumption and Descent of the Holy Sophia (without decrying traditional Marian devotion).

The Lectionary, the book of collects, lessons (instead of epistles), and gospels, of the church was written, edited, and collected by bishop Stephan A. Hoeller and issued in 1974. Scriptures were collected from the Old and New Testament; the Pistis Sophia and other scriptures known before the Nag Hammadi find; the Nag Hammadi Library of the Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Truth, and Gospel of Phillip; Cathar, Hermetic, Manichean, and Mandaean sources; and the Chaldean Oracles. [12]

Active parishes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apostolic succession</span> Claim that Christian Church leadership is derived from the apostles by a continuous succession

Apostolic succession is the method whereby the ministry of the Christian Church is considered by some Christian denominations to be derived from the apostles by a continuous succession, which has usually been associated with a claim that the succession is through a series of bishops. Those of the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Scandinavian Lutheran, Anglican, Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East, Hussite, Moravian, and Old Catholic traditions maintain that "a bishop cannot have regular or valid orders unless he has been consecrated in this apostolic succession". These traditions do not always consider the episcopal consecrations of all of the other traditions as valid.

Ecclesia may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephan A. Hoeller</span> American author and neo-Gnostic bishop

Stephan A. Hoeller is an American author, lecturer and neo-Gnostic bishop.

In Christian theology, ecclesiology is the study of the Church, the origins of Christianity, its relationship to Jesus, its role in salvation, its polity, its discipline, its eschatology, and its leadership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jules Doinel</span>

Jules-Benoît Stanislas Doinel du Val-Michel, also known simply as Jules Doinel or Tau Valentin II was an archivist and the founder of the first Gnostic church in modern times who claims, that he was consecrated into a new episcopal lineage in a dream by the "Eon Jesus".

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.), or the Gnostic Catholic Church, is a Gnostic church organization. It is the ecclesiastical arm of Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), an international fraternal initiatory organization devoted to promulgating the Law of Thelema.

Valentinianism was one of the major Gnostic Christian movements. Founded by Valentinus in the 2nd century AD, its influence spread widely, not just within Rome but also from Northwest Africa to Egypt through to Asia Minor and Syria in the East. Later in the movement's history it broke into an Eastern and a Western school. Disciples of Valentinus continued to be active into the 4th century AD, after the Roman Emperor Theodosius I issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which declared Nicene Christianity as the State church of the Roman Empire.

The Charismatic Episcopal Church (CEC), officially the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (ICCEC), is a Christian denomination established in 1992. The ICCEC is a part of the Convergence Movement. Within North America, most of the Charismatic Episcopal Church's congregations and missions are located within the Northern, Southeastern, Midwest, and Western United States; it also has a presence in Texas, and in Western Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High church Lutheranism</span> Movement in Lutheranism

High church Lutheranism is a movement that began in 20th-century Europe and emphasizes worship practices and doctrines that are similar to those found within Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Anglo-Catholicism. In the more general usage of the term, it describes the general high church characteristics of Lutheranism in Nordic and Baltic countries such as Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Latvia. The mentioned countries, once a part of the Swedish Empire, have more markedly preserved Catholic traditions.

Gnosticism in modern times includes a variety of contemporary religious movements, stemming from Gnostic ideas and systems from ancient Roman society. Gnosticism is an ancient name for a variety of religious ideas and systems, originating in Jewish-Christian milieux in the first and second century CE.

Catholicity is a concept pertaining to beliefs and practices that are widely accepted by numerous Christian denominations, most notably by those Christian denominations that describe themselves as catholic in accordance with the Four Marks of the Church, as expressed in the Nicene Creed formulated at the First Council of Constantinople in 381: "[I believe] in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church." The English adjective catholic is derived from the Ancient Greek adjective καθολικός, meaning "general", "universal". Thus, "catholic" means that in the Church the wholeness of the Christian faith, full and complete, all-embracing, and with nothing lacking, is proclaimed to all people without excluding any part of the faith or any class or group of people. An early definition for what is "catholic" was summarized in what is known as the Vincentian Canon in the 5th century Commonitory: "what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all."

A Gnostic Mass is a liturgical Mass administered by a Gnostic church. There are several such churches, each with its own version of the Mass. Some of them are:

Ecclesia de Eucharistia is an encyclical by Pope John Paul II published on April 17, 2003. Its title, as is customary, is taken from the opening words of the Latin version of the text, which is rendered in the English translation as "The Church draws her life from the Eucharist". He discusses the centrality of the Eucharist to the definition and mission of the Church and says he hopes his message will "effectively help to banish the dark clouds of unacceptable doctrine and practice, so that the Eucharist will continue to shine forth in all its radiant mystery." He explored themes familiar from his earlier writings, including the profound connection between the Eucharist and the priesthood. It drew as well on his personal experiences saying Mass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Bricaud</span>

JeanBricaud, also known as Tau Jean II, was a French student of the occult and esoteric matters. Bricaud was heavily involved in the French neo-Gnostic movement. He was consecrated a Gnostic bishop on 21 July 1913 by bishop Louis-Marie-François Giraud. He was the Patriarch of the Église Gnostique Universelle and a central figure in the various lines of the apostolic succession of subsequent Gnostic churches, as well as a spiritual heir of Jules Doinel. From 1916 he was head of the Ordre Martiniste. He was a friend of the occultists Papus and August Vandekerkhove.

This is a glossary of terms used within the Catholic Church. Some terms used in everyday English have a different meaning in the context of the Catholic faith, including brother, confession, confirmation, exemption, faithful, father, ordinary, religious, sister, venerable, and vow.

A particular church is an ecclesiastical community of followers headed by a bishop, as defined by Catholic canon law and ecclesiology. A liturgical rite, a collection of liturgies descending from shared historic or regional context, depends on the particular church the bishop belongs to. Thus the term "particular church" refers to an institution, and "liturgical rite" to its ritual practices.

In the Catholic Church, communicatio in sacris, also called communicatio in divinis or communicatio in ritibus, designates the regulations for the partaking of a Catholic person to a non-Catholic sacrament or liturgical celebration, or for the partaking of a non-Catholic person to a Catholic sacrament or liturgical celebration. The expression is also used to refer to said acts of partaking themselves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gnostic Church of France</span> Neo-gnostic Christian church

The Gnostic Church of France is a neo-Gnostic Christian organisation formed by Jules Doinel in 1890, in France. It is the first Gnostic church in modern times.

Tau Malachi is an American neo-Gnostic religious leader and writer. He is currently the Gnostic Apostle of Ecclesia Pistis Sophia, also known as The Fellowship.

References

  1. David B. Barrett; Todd M. Johnson; Christopher Guidry; Peter Crossing (2001). World Christian Trends, Ad 30-Ad 2200: Interpreting the Annual Christian Megacensus. William Carey Library. p. 309. ISBN   0-87808-608-0.
  2. Piepkorn, Arthur (1977). Profiles in Belief: The Religious Bodies of the United States and Canada. Harper & Row. pp.  294–295. ISBN   0-06-066580-7.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Duc de Palatine, Richard (1959). "The Pre-Nicene Gnosto-Catholic Church". The Lucis Magazine. 1 (3). Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  4. Stephan Hoeller (2003). Michael Thomas (ed.). Successio Apostolica: The Sources of the Apostolic Succession of the Ecclesia Gnostica. Los Angeles: The Gnostic Press.
  5. Keizer, Lewis (2000). The Wandering Bishops: Apostles of a New Spirituality (PDF). St. Thomas Press. p. 48.
  6. Miller, Timothy (1995). America's alternative religions. SUNY Press. pp.  440. ISBN   0-7914-2398-0.
  7. 1 2 Pearson, Birger (2007). Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions and Literature. Minneapolis: Fortress Press. p. 240. ISBN   978-0-8006-3258-8.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Smith, Richard (1995). "The revival of ancient Gnosis". In Segal, Robert (ed.). The Allure of Gnosticism: the Gnostic experience in Jungian psychology and contemporary culture. Open Court. p. 206. ISBN   0-8126-9278-0.
  9. Bishop, Paul (2002). Jung's Answer to Job: A Commentary. Routledge. p. 49. ISBN   1-58391-240-1.
  10. 1 2 3 Hoeller, Stephan. "An Introduction to the Lectionary of the Ecclesia Gnostica" . Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  11. Hoeller, Stephan A. (2020). A Gnostic Catechism - Revised Edition. Ecclesia Gnostica. pp. 45–50. ISBN   979-8-6054-6606-2.
  12. 1 2 Hoeller, Stephan. "An Introduction to the Lectionary of the Ecclesia Gnostica" . Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  13. Ridenour, Al (6 October 2002). "Antiquity's Gnostic Church Is Enjoying a Renaissance". Los Angeles Times. pp. I. 6. 205577081.
  14. 1 2 Hoeller, Stephan A. (2020). A Gnostic Catechism - Revised Edition. Ecclesia Gnostica. pp. iii–vii. ISBN   979-8-6054-6606-2.
  15. Lucas, Philip Charles (1995). The Odyssey of a New Religion: The Holy Order of MANS from New Age to Orthodoxy. Indiana University Press. p. 279. ISBN   0-253-33612-0.
  16. Smoley, Richard; Kinney, Jay (1999). Hidden Wisdom: A Guide to the Western Inner Traditions. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc. pp.  33. ISBN   0-14-019582-3.
  17. Altman, Nathaniel (2000). The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Meditations and blessings. New York: Barnes and Noble. p. 462.
  18. Hoeller, Stephan A. (2020). A Gnostic Catechism - Revised Edition. Ecclesia Gnostica. pp. 51–55. ISBN   979-8-6054-6606-2.
  19. "The Ecclesia Gnostica" . Retrieved 26 March 2008.